Social Security Eligibility Criteria: Can A Full-Time Housewife Collect Social Security?
When Social Security was initially introduced, most families only had one bread-earner, and only the working spouse qualified for retirement benefits. This caused financial difficulties for the spouse who didn't work (and hence didn't qualify for Social Security) if the working spouse passed away first. Thankfully the Social Security Administration recognized this hardship and amended the law to permit wives to collect benefits based on their husband's earnings.
The family dynamic has changed very much since Social Security was established back in 1935, but there are still many families where one spouse does not work, and therefore does not qualify for retirement benefits based on their own earnings.
There are several requirements in order to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, including:
- Age: In order to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, you need to be at least age 62. Other benefits, such as survivor benefits or disability benefits may be received at an earlier age, but the Social Security eligibility rules require you to be age 62 before you can apply for retirement benefits.
- Work Credits: You must work in a Social Security included job (i.e., where you contribute to Social Security through payroll tax deductions) for at least 40 credits to be eligible for retirement benefits. You can earn up to four credits per year; so basically, you must work for 10 years to qualify for Social Security.
- Citizenship or Residency Status: Many people will be surprised to learn that you do not have to be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. Workers who pay into the Social Security system may qualify for benefits even if they are not U.S. nationals, however they must live in the U.S. to actually receive benefits.
Then... do spouses qualify for Social Security? Given the Social Security eligibility requirements listed above, most full-time housewives will not qualify for retirement benefits on their own, unless they worked for 10 years (40 credits) before they became a homemaker.
Alternatively, homemakers may qualify for benefits depending on their spouse's earnings. Social Security spousal benefits enable husbands and wives to collect retirement benefits based on their spouse's earnings if they result in a higher benefit than their own. To be more precise, a spouse who has not worked or who has significantly lower earnings than their husband or wife can receive up to as much as half of their spouse's entire retirement benefit.
In addition to spousal benefits, homemakers may also be eligible for Social Security survivor benefits. Widows and widowers can start receiving Social Security benefits based on their deceased spouse's earnings beginning at age 60 (age 50 if they are disabled). Children of deceased workers who are below age 18 (19 if they are still in high school) may also qualify for survivor benefits. This is very helpful for families with small kids when the main bread earner passes away at an early age.
While full-time homemakers that have never worked or who were employed for less than 10 years generally won't qualify for Social Security retirement benefits on their own, as you can see, they may be eligible for benefits based on their husband's earnings. Note: while this report has assumed that the homemaker is female, Social Security is gender neutral, so men who choose to stay home to bring up the kids can also qualify for spousal and survivor benefits.
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Social Security was originally created to provide retirement benefits to workers, but the program has grown tremendously and now Social Security provides disability benefits, death benefits and other family benefits in addition to retirement benefits.
Social Security Benefits: Several Crucial Information On Cost Of Living Adjustment 2011
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Submitting Your Social Security Application: When And How
As you get closer to retirement one of your top questions is probably when and how to submit your Social Security application. Should you apply at age 62 or 66? What are the steps to applying for Social Security once you've decided to start collecting retirement benefits?
Present Situation About Social Security Spouse And Survivor Benefits
When Social Security was established most women did not work. Lower or no earnings combined with a longer life span meant poverty for many women when their husbands passed away. Social Security recognized these challenges and have implemented several changes to the system to help women avoid poverty.
Social Security Retirement Income: Guidelines To Help You Make The Most Of Your Social Security Benefits
As you get closer to retirement, choosing when to take your Social Security may seem like rolling the dice. There are so many decisions to make, such as:
The family dynamic has changed very much since Social Security was established back in 1935, but there are still many families where one spouse does not work, and therefore does not qualify for retirement benefits based on their own earnings.
There are several requirements in order to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, including:
- Age: In order to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, you need to be at least age 62. Other benefits, such as survivor benefits or disability benefits may be received at an earlier age, but the Social Security eligibility rules require you to be age 62 before you can apply for retirement benefits.
- Work Credits: You must work in a Social Security included job (i.e., where you contribute to Social Security through payroll tax deductions) for at least 40 credits to be eligible for retirement benefits. You can earn up to four credits per year; so basically, you must work for 10 years to qualify for Social Security.
- Citizenship or Residency Status: Many people will be surprised to learn that you do not have to be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. Workers who pay into the Social Security system may qualify for benefits even if they are not U.S. nationals, however they must live in the U.S. to actually receive benefits.
Then... do spouses qualify for Social Security? Given the Social Security eligibility requirements listed above, most full-time housewives will not qualify for retirement benefits on their own, unless they worked for 10 years (40 credits) before they became a homemaker.
Alternatively, homemakers may qualify for benefits depending on their spouse's earnings. Social Security spousal benefits enable husbands and wives to collect retirement benefits based on their spouse's earnings if they result in a higher benefit than their own. To be more precise, a spouse who has not worked or who has significantly lower earnings than their husband or wife can receive up to as much as half of their spouse's entire retirement benefit.
In addition to spousal benefits, homemakers may also be eligible for Social Security survivor benefits. Widows and widowers can start receiving Social Security benefits based on their deceased spouse's earnings beginning at age 60 (age 50 if they are disabled). Children of deceased workers who are below age 18 (19 if they are still in high school) may also qualify for survivor benefits. This is very helpful for families with small kids when the main bread earner passes away at an early age.
While full-time homemakers that have never worked or who were employed for less than 10 years generally won't qualify for Social Security retirement benefits on their own, as you can see, they may be eligible for benefits based on their husband's earnings. Note: while this report has assumed that the homemaker is female, Social Security is gender neutral, so men who choose to stay home to bring up the kids can also qualify for spousal and survivor benefits.
How To Enhance Your Credit Check Score In 5 Straightforward Steps
Having a good credit check score is an absolute must in today's lending environment. In this lagging economic environment, your credit check score is certainly more important than ever.
Some Key Exceptional Roth IRA Withdrawal Rules That Might Aid You To Take Money Out Of Roth IRA
Roth IRAs are governed by the IRS; as such there are many Roth IRA withdrawal rules that must be followed before you take money out of your account. In this article we'll discuss Roth IRA distributions; when they can be taken, when and if they are taxable, when and if penalties might apply.
Tips On How To Request For Social Security Benefits
Social Security was originally created to provide retirement benefits to workers, but the program has grown tremendously and now Social Security provides disability benefits, death benefits and other family benefits in addition to retirement benefits.
Social Security Benefits: Several Crucial Information On Cost Of Living Adjustment 2011
For the second year in a row people who rely on Social Security will not be receiving a cost of living increase. This is only the second time since the cost of living adjustment (COLA) was adopted that recipients have not received an increase.
Submitting Your Social Security Application: When And How
As you get closer to retirement one of your top questions is probably when and how to submit your Social Security application. Should you apply at age 62 or 66? What are the steps to applying for Social Security once you've decided to start collecting retirement benefits?
Present Situation About Social Security Spouse And Survivor Benefits
When Social Security was established most women did not work. Lower or no earnings combined with a longer life span meant poverty for many women when their husbands passed away. Social Security recognized these challenges and have implemented several changes to the system to help women avoid poverty.
Social Security Retirement Income: Guidelines To Help You Make The Most Of Your Social Security Benefits
As you get closer to retirement, choosing when to take your Social Security may seem like rolling the dice. There are so many decisions to make, such as:
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